On the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion, the United Nations General Assembly is set to vote on two rival resolutions addressing the ongoing war in Ukraine. Ukraine, backed by European allies, has put forward a proposal demanding the immediate withdrawal of Russian troops. Meanwhile, the United States has introduced its own resolution calling for a swift end to the conflict, without explicitly naming Russia as the aggressor.
US officials have pressed Ukraine to withdraw its resolution in favor of Washington’s version, but Ukraine has refused. As a result, both resolutions will be put to a vote in the 193-member assembly. The debate reflects growing tensions between Ukraine and the US after President Donald Trump unexpectedly opened direct talks with Russia in an effort to speed up a resolution to the war.
The move has also caused friction within the transatlantic alliance, with European leaders frustrated at being excluded from last week’s preliminary discussions between Washington and Moscow. Trump’s stance on Ukraine has intensified the divide. He recently referred to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as a “dictator,” wrongly accused Kyiv of starting the war, and urged him to negotiate quickly or risk losing his country. Zelenskyy, in response, accused Trump of repeating Russian propaganda.
The Trump administration’s decision to propose an alternative UN resolution at the last minute has led to a diplomatic standoff. The US has also pushed for a separate vote in the more powerful UN Security Council, where China, currently holding the presidency, has scheduled a meeting on Ukraine.
The General Assembly has become the main UN body addressing the war, as the 15-member Security Council remains deadlocked due to Russia’s veto power. While General Assembly resolutions are not legally binding, they are seen as an indicator of global opinion. Since the invasion began on February 24, 2022, the Assembly has passed multiple resolutions condemning Russia’s actions and demanding troop withdrawals.
The outcome of the upcoming votes will signal whether international support for Ukraine remains strong or has weakened. Diplomats say both sides have engaged in intense lobbying to secure backing. A European diplomat described the pressure campaign as particularly aggressive.
The US-backed resolution avoids blaming Russia and instead acknowledges the “tragic loss of life” in the war while urging a quick and lasting peace. Russia’s UN ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia, has welcomed the American approach, calling it a “good move.”
In contrast, Ukraine’s resolution, co-sponsored by the entire European Union, explicitly labels Russia’s actions as a “full-scale invasion” and calls for Moscow to “immediately, completely, and unconditionally” withdraw its forces. It also reaffirms the need to implement previous UN resolutions condemning the war.
The world will be watching closely to see which resolution gains more support and what it means for Trump’s efforts to reshape US policy on the war.